Giving Back to Conservation by Joining CFM

If you love the Missouri outdoors and its wildlife then you need to check out the Conservation Federation of Missouri and consider joining this group of Missouri citizens with a love for Missouri outdoors. Missouri is fortunate to have an abundance of natural resources. We have good populations of wildlife for hunting, beautiful

Ozark streams for floating and fishing, well managed forest and prairies, and thousands of acres of ponds and lakes for recreation.

Most of us have grown up with these resources and take them for granted, but it was not always this way. In the early 1900’s, our resources were abused and misused. Laws governing fish, forest, and wildlife were in the hands of the legislature. They may have meant well but few of the legislators had any natural resource management and most laws were passed to appease constituents.

Fortunately, a few dedicated conservationists decided they wanted to get conservation out of politics and into the hands of trained professionals. In 1935 they formed the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM). A year later, they succeeded in getting a constitutional amendment passed that resulted in the formation of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

While everyone today has an opinion about how resources should be managed, we have to admit we have it pretty good compared to most other states.

Most people are familiar with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Department of Natural Resources State Parks system but many don’t know about CFM, which was organized in 1935 and is still going strong today. CFM’s mission is to ensure conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources, and preservation of our state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnership. CFM is comprised of citizens and not affiliated with any government agency and gets involved with all conservation issue not just hunting and fishing.

Partnerships are critical to CFM’s continued success. There are over 100 affiliated non-government conservation organizations representing about 80,000 people and these organizations are the backbone of CFM. CFM also operates Operation Game Thief and the popular Share the Harvest programs. They also make grant funds available through the Risberg family’s generous donation, which helps affiliates carry out their goals, whether it be education or habitat work.

Education is always important. CFM has a program called the Conservation Leadership Corps. This program gives high school junior and seniors as well as college students an opportunity to get involved in conservation. CFM also publishes the Conservation Federation Magazine six times per year for each member.

Advocacy is essential and one of CFM’s the most important duties. They monitor and testify in legislative hearings for conservation and natural resources. The Legislative Action Center (LAC) allows members to stay updated on conservation issues and provides an easy way to contact their legislators. Nearly every year, a legislator tries to get conservation back in politicians’ hands by either trying to control MDC or gaining control of MDC’s funding.

Now that you have learned a bit about CFM and what this group does, remember that we all have a connection to the outdoors. Whether it’s hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, biking, hiking, or just sitting in our yards and watching wildlife, we all enjoy some aspect of Missouri wildlife and resources.

Becoming a member keeps you informed about Missouri outdoors, its wildlife and all the opportunities that are available to you. A membership makes it easy to stay aware of conservation issues that may have an impact to Missouri outdoor future as well as giving you a voice in those decisions.

In closing, membership in CFM helps ensure our natural resources will be here for all to enjoy, now and in the future, so please consider joining this dedicated group of citizens that have a love of the Missouri outdoors by going to www.confedmo.org/join or by calling 573-6342322.

EST. 1935

Tom Westhoff

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

Elk Hunters Go for Five in Inaugural Elk Hunt

Missouri’s first elk-hunting season ended with all five of the hunters selected for permits harvesting bull elk during the firearms portion Dec. 12-20. An archery portion ran Oct. 1725 with no harvests. The five Missouri hunters were selected for elk-hunting permits through a random drawing of more than 19,215 permit applications, including 33 for one resident-landowner antleredelk permit and 19,182 for four general permits.

“What an exciting gift right before the holidays to see all five hunters harvest elk in this first inaugural elk season in Missouri,” said MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley. “This success also showcases the hard work and collaboration of our Commission, staff, partners, landowners, and citizens. One of the hunters called me personally just a few minutes after he harvested an elk full of excitement and thanks, but the real thanks goes to the bigger team for making this happen.” Joe Benthall of Mount Vernon, who was drawn for an antlered-elk general permit, harvested a 5x5 bull elk Dec. 12 on National Park Service property near Log Yard in Shannon County. He was the first of five Missouri hunters selected for elk permits to harvest an elk. Benthall has been deer hunting off and on for 25 years and had not hunted elk before. He says he applied for the Missouri opportunity because he has wanted to hunt elk but has not had the time or money for a trip out west. He added that he only hunted during the firearms portion.

Michael Buschjost of St. Thomas, who was drawn for an antlered-elk general permit, took a 6x6 bull elk Dec. 15 outside of the refuge portion of the MDC Peck Ranch Conservation Area. He has hunted elk in Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming with two bulls and a cow elk harvested from those efforts. He said he was excited to hunt elk in Missouri and to take his three kids with him to scout the area before the season opened.

Sam Schultz of Winfield, who was drawn for an antlered-elk general permit, harvested a 5x6 bull elk Dec. 15 on private property in Shannon County. Schultz has been hunting for 30 years and he mostly hunts deer and turkey. He has successfully hunted elk before in Colorado back in the early 2000s.

“My elk was originally a 6x7 bull, but he had two broken antler tines, which left him to be a 5x6,” said Schultz. “It was a tough hunt, but I had a blast doing it. Best of all was one of my boys was with me when I harvested this awesome animal. Thank you, MDC, for bringing them back to Missouri.”

Gene Guilkey of Liberty, who was drawn for an antlered-elk general permit, harvested a 6x7 bull elk on public land in Shannon County Dec. 16.

“I have never hunted elk before and this hunt was the dream trip of a lifetime,” Guilkey said. “I literally dreamed of taking a 6x6 bull but didn’t think it was possible nor would I be up to it, but the good Lord above had better plans than I did!”

He added, “When I harvested this bull, I was stressed, relieved, and overjoyed all at the same time. I screamed loud enough that quite possibly all three counties involved could hear me! What a thrill! Taking this trophy was the hardest hunt I have encountered. It took a lot of scouting before and during the archery season to get the terrain laid out. During the hunt, we were delighted to find this bull on day three and focused on the area he was spotted in. He was actually bugling, which was an experience we did not expect so late after the rut. These are amazing animals!”

Bill Clark of Van Buren, who was drawn for the resident-landowner antlered-elk permit, harvested a bull elk on his property Dec. 19. Clark is a life-long hunter of deer, turkey, and small game. He has also pursued elk in Colorado and Wyoming in the 1990s. He and his family own 80 acres east of Peck Ranch Conservation Area where they conduct timber-stand improvements on the heavily forested property and also plant clover and native grasses for elk and other wildlife. Clark says he applied for the elk hunt because he supports MDC’s elk restoration and management efforts, wildlife management in general, and wanted to help the herd by thinning a bull.

“I see elk on our land all the time,” Clark said. “I’m nearly 80 and use a cane and a crutch so I’m limited in my mobility. I was standing on my back deck and saw a group of cow elk about 100 yards through the trees in the yard with a spike bull with them. He stopped, and that was the shot I had and the shot I took. We then broke down the carcass and are processing it ourselves.”

Clark added, “I’m really happy to represent what I believe to be one of the most important hunts of my life. This program is an example of one of the best things to happen for the people of Missouri in years, and I’m nearly 80 years old.”

Sam Schultz of Winfield harvested this 5x6 bull elk Dec. 15 on private property in Shannon County. (Photo: Courtesy of Sam Schultz)

MDC Sets Deer and Turkey Hunting Season dates

The Missouri Conservation Commission approved the following recommendations by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for upcoming turkey-hunting and deer-hunting season dates.

2021 Spring and Fall Turkey Hunting Dates

• Spring Youth Portion: April 10 and 11 • Regular Spring Turkey Season: April 19 through May 9 • Fall Firearms Turkey Season: Oct. 1 - 31

2021-2022 Archery Deer & Turkey Hunting Dates

• Sept. 15 through Nov. 12 and Nov. 24 through

Jan. 15, 2022

2021-2022 Firearms Deer Hunting Dates

• Firearms Deer Early Youth Portion: Oct. 30-31 • Firearms Deer November Portion: Nov. 13 - 23 • Firearms Deer Late Youth Portion: Nov. 26 - 28 • Firearms Deer Antlerless Portion: Dec. 4 - 12 • Firearms Deer Alternative Methods Portion: Dec. 25 - Jan. 4, 2022 The Commission approved providing more days of hunting opportunity to increase the harvest of antlerless deer. MDC recommended increasing the length of the antlerless portion from three days to nine days based on Missouri deer numbers being at desirable levels and being stable or increasing in most counties that allow two firearms antlerless permits and two landowner firearms antlerless permits. MDC harvest data shows that increasing the firearms antlerless harvest limit past two does not result in a significant increase in harvest.

Details on hunting regulations, harvest limits, allowed methods, required permits, and other related information will be available in MDC’s 2021 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet and MDC’s 2021 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet. Both will be available where permits are sold prior to the related seasons.

Learn more about turkey hunting in Missouri at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/ turkey.

Learn more about deer hunting in Missouri at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer.

Buy Missouri hunting permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/ buypermits, or through MDC’s free mobile apps, MO Hunting and MO Fishing, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

MISSOURI STATE PARKS

Missouri State Parks Takes Home Second and Third Place in December 2020 Show Me Challenge

Inspired by the hit TV show "Shark Tank" and other similar competitions, the Show Me Challenge encourages team members in Missouri’s 16 executive departments to identify solutions to better serve Missouri’s citizens. The Show Me Challenge, launched in January 2019, inspires teams across every level of state government to compete and find ways for state team members to work together better.

Recycle Rally in Parks won second place for its proposal to implement a statewide campground recycling program to increase the convenience of recycling for campers, save money and reduce waste. Members of this team include Kim Todey, Doug Rusk, Kaylyn Dalbom, Lori Cody, Jessica Gillespie, Kim Pedigo and Coy King of the Department of Natural Resources, and Rob Didrikson of the Office of Administration.

The project will increase campers’ participation in recycling statewide, using the Montauk State Park case study as a model for other state parks. The inconvenience for visitors to recycle led to a series of problems including overflowing trash dumpsters and increased health, safety and environmental issues. Montauk State Park developed a program that targets convenient recycling at the campsite, by providing recycling bags. As a result, trash collection at Montauk was reduced by 408 cubic yards during June, July and August 2020, saving $3,108 in operational funds. The amount of material recycled consisted of 2,128 pounds of plastic, 2,383 pounds of aluminum and 8,660 pounds of metal. Montauk increased visitor participation in recycling, while reducing trash removal costs and trash to landfills.

The Recycle Rally in Parks team created a playbook for other campgrounds interested in implementing a similar recycling program. Echo Bluff and Stockton state parks, along with other state park campgrounds, have already committed to participating during the 2021 camping season. The team is exploring partnerships with other state agencies and hopes to create recycling opportunities for others in the camping industry statewide. The Missouri State Parks Education Resources Website project won third place for its proposal to create a centralized website with virtual education materials to better assist educators unable to bring their students to visit Missouri state parks and historic sites for in-person learning. Members of this team include Alison Dubbert, Patricia Chambers, Brooke Mahar, Chris Edmondson, Kelly Koch, Jamie Hubert, Melissa Blank and Jamie Henry of the Department of Natural Resources, and Kristen McKinney of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Missouri state parks and historic sites are nationally recognized for quality interpretive programs, tours and educational materials. During the pandemic shutdown, the need and requests for virtual content from educators only increased due to the reduction of field trips and in-person learning. While school visits to parks and sites have decreased, virtual programming through videos on topics normally interpreted on-site have been widely successful on social media. The team plans to evaluate current content that already meets Missouri curriculum standards and collaborate with educators to determine additional curriculum. Once the content is determined and developed, it will be placed on a centralized webpage to provide easy access to educators and partners. The team hopes to develop partnerships with other agencies to create a statewide website, providing a variety of educational materials and curriculum topics across the state.

(Photo: Courtesy of Missouri State Parks)